2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: MALAYSIAN TIGRESS ROAR BACK WITH 6-1 WIN OVER CANADA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The national women's hockey squad reignited their semi-final hopes in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with a commanding 6-1 victory over Canada in their second Group B match in Santiago, Chile on Tuesday.

Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar stole the show when she scored two field goals in the 20th and 28th minutes for Malaysian Tigress in the match held at the Estadio Nacional.

The scoring spree began as early as the ninth minute when Khairunnisa Ayuni Mohd Sharuddin converted a penalty corner. Zati Alyani Muhammad Zubir added a third with a field goal in the 36th minute.

Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli and Fatin Shafika Mahd Sukri also carved their names in the scorer’s list with the fifth and sixth goals in the 39th and 46th minutes, both of which came from penalty corners.

Chloe Walton scored a consolation goal for the opposing team in the 11th minute.

In a video shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, head coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim praised his players’ response after their 0-5 defeat to Ireland in Monday’s opener.

“The players gave their best. This was the result of high discipline and effective tactics, unlike yesterday against Ireland. There is still room for improvement,” he said.

Malaysia will rest before facing tournament favourites Japan, with Nasihin vowing a stronger display.

Ireland top Group B with six points. Japan sit second on goal difference, level on three points with Malaysia, while Canada remain bottom without a point.

Under tournament rules, the top two teams from Groups A and B advance to the semi-finals.

Only the top three teams from each qualifying event, along with the highest-ranked fourth-placed side across both tournaments, will secure spots at the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 14-30.

The other qualifying tournament is being held in Hyderabad, India.

-- BERNAMA